Going - 1st Time - 2d week July - Help!

[sarina]

We (grandson, daughter and I) to Disneyworld for the first time second week of July from the 14 to the 19. We have checked out the Disney All Star Sports Resort (Dream Maker/Silver pkg.).

I know it will be burning hot but this is the only vac. time my daughter could get. We'd prefer not to drive and since staying on site it doesn't appear necessary but it looks like if we want to go to Universal we would definitely need a car - yes? no?

Please give me some tips for us. . . . thanks in advance.

 

[KayleeUK]

Hi sarina Welcome to the DIS

We user Mears when staying at Disney to get to Universal, I think they gave us the number at the front desk that we called Any towncar/taxi service would be able to get you there .

 

[MrsJ Henry]

If you decide you want a car once you get there you can also get them on site. ( even for one day)
We are getting a car since we are staying on site but we want to go to the other resorts for some of our dinners and it takes forever on the busses. also many people just use the WDW transportation and LOVE IT. ( friends and relatives included) but for us it makes us feel a little trapped. also we want to go back to our room sometimes during the day so it will just cut down on time for us.
There is so much information that is so useful on here from many.
Also so many sites on the net that are great. Check out mousesavers.com and allearsnet.com ( that one has SO MUCH info on meals etc.
The more you look on these boards the better prepared you will be and will have a great time in WDW.
I have talked to people at work who have gown to dinsy and becuase they did not plan and research they missed SO much and wasted so much time. It is amazing to me.
Many places you go you can wing it and have a great time. WDW is NOT one of those places.

 

[ABCMom]

Welcome to the DIS - hope you find all the info you need here

 

[sarina]

Thanks for all the tips. In looking at other sites I have seen it is more economical to book the hotel separately from the passes for WDW - what are your thoughts on this?

Also, in looking at the Sports Complex Hotel it appears far away from the Magic Kingdom - is this an issue as far as transportation to/from parks? Is it a good idea to go ahead and rent a car?

 

[sarina]

We are staying at the All Star Sports Hotel in July. Should we opt for the first floor (lots of foot traffic) or the upper floor? Two adults and a 7 year old.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I would not get a package unless i was getting a very good deal. Most of the time you can do better booking everything separately.
I would rent a car. But then again I have a cousin who stayed there and was very happy with the WDW busses. She liked getting into AC and not having to wait for the car to cool down.
We are going to be going to other resorts for dinner so we didn't want to have to be at the mercy of the bus system. I like to be able to have a car to jump into.
I don't know if i would go for the fist floor but that is just me. I like to be further up since i always think it is safer. Everyone is different though.
Maybe some others will come along and give you some of thier tips .

 

[sarina]

I called Disney to book the All Star Sports Hotel and the young man I spoke with kept insisting that I would like the moderately priced Port Orleans Riverside better. He said they have sit down dining and the pool has a water slide unlike the Sports Hotel. He also mentioned the fishing activity and the ability to take a boat to downtown Disney -

Help! is he just giving me a hard sell?